A FARMER'S YEAR 



FEBRUARY 



February i. — Last night there was a sharp rain, but the 

 month has opened with a beautiful day, more like April than 

 February weather, the thermometer marking 53 degrees in the 

 shade and on a north wall. In the afternoon I went over to 

 Bedingham, where the oats were being drilled, four bushels of 

 them to the acre. They went in rather indifferently, for last 

 night's rain has already affected this cold and sticky soil; also 

 the long manure, which, having no otlier available, we were 

 obliged to use for this field. No. 13, interfered somewhat with 

 the action of the drill. The pease, with which the remaining 

 half of the same field is sown, went in well this afternoon, 

 when the land had dried somewhat in the stiff west wind. 

 To-morrow, if the rain holds off, we propose to drill barley at 

 Bedingham. 



February 3. — Yesterday was much colder, with a strong nor'- 

 west wind, increasing to a gale, and a good deal of bright sun- 

 shine. There is one plough going on All Hallows Farm, 

 thwarting for root, but all the other horses are at Bedingham 

 drilling, or trying to drill, barley, except one that is carting root 

 into the shed. We have set a fold for sheep on the three-acre 

 pasture. No. 11. This was the first field that I laid down for 

 permanent grass, and is the worst land that I have on the farm, 

 the seven -acre. No. 10, opposite to it not excepted. It has now 

 been down for about six years, and has reached a rather critical 

 stage in the life-history of a meadow. As a good deal of moss and 

 many daisies have appeared in places among the herbage, we have 



